Apparently we had none of the ball like, but still came out with a win. Decent quality oppo that, Huelva are used to the heat it's a city close to the Portuguese border, and they just missed the play-offs last season. I know it means little, but pre-season we have won every game without conceding as far as I can remember?
There's always a chance we'd need them. They're giving themselves way more coverage than in previous pre seasons, I mean the last 30 minutes against pools was lush football, it was one touch pass and move, they even passed it into the net for one of the goals. They're a good outfit, reckon they could win the development league this year.
I just have a gut feeling that these lads could do an Arnott, Elliot, Rowell if they get the chance, who knows. You can win things with kids if they are good enough and there is only one way to find that out.
Exactly right. 10-15 mins here and there to start, but keep that regular, 2 cup competitions when we can play a mix, get them involved, get them used to the big crowds etc. What we do know, be that it may that we have boo boys at the games, we always seem to get behind young lads getting a chance, and they have a far greater chance of stepping up in a team that plays possession, like we do under Gus. I expect Mavrias to be close, lads played a stack of games for Panathinaikos already in front of very passionate support, and Honeyman & Agnew look like they are close to consideration.
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, Brown, O'Shea (c), Cattermole, Gomez, Giaccherini, Johnson, Fletcher, Wickham. Subs: Mannone, N'Diaye, Mavrias, Ba, Bridcutt, Roberge.
Well hopefully not Wickham at inside left. We're playing very well apparently. D Nacional pressing quickly yet we're still managing to keep the ball.
Nice to see an attacking line up but it might be too attacking. Potentially a lot of pressure on Cattermole and that doesn't always end well...
Sunderland comfortably the better side in the first period, with Costel Pantilimon having had about half-a-dozen touches in the opening 45 minutes. Wickham and Jones have both forced good saves, but it's goalless at the break.
It's not that bad a squad lads. Missing Seb and Jozy which means 4 players short of the 23 Gus wants? 2 defense, 1 midfield, 1 attack. We're not that far off what we'll end up with.
